[UPDATED IN OCTOBER 2024]

DISCLAIMER: Please note that I visited Lapland in December 2021, a time when Finland was recovering from the COVID-19 shutdowns. The experiences and prices mentioned in this post reflect the conditions at that time. Some prices may have changed since then, so check for the latest updates before planning your trip.

Visiting Lapland in Winter was on my bucket list for a long time! The pine trees dressed in white in winter screamed my name!

Now that my visit to Lapland has come true, I want to share with you the ultimate Lapland guide so you can experience it yourself.

I found myself boarding a plane to Helsinki at the end of November. Rovaniemi (Lapland) was the final destination. Despite the extreme weather conditions (a real feel of – 31ºC/-24 ºF in my last 2 days), this was, without a doubt, one of my favourite trips ever.

It’s impossible not to come back from Lapland completely in love with the landscapes and the magic one feels in the air.

When you think of Lapland, you’ll most likely think of Santa Claus and Christmas. And let me tell you: Lapland is not just for kids. It’s a true winter wonderland that I’m sure you’ll love.

Keep reading to find out why visiting Lapland in Winter is one of the best trips ever!!

I chose to visit Finnish Lapland which is probably the best known. Much of Lapland lies within the Arctic Circle. This is an imaginary line where places above it have at least 1 day of always night or 1 day of absolute light per year.

There are different ‘Laplands’ you can visit. But, this guide is going to focus on the Finnish Lapland. More specifically, the post will cover all the tips to visit Rovaniemi – one of the best-known places in the Finnish Lapland.

Other less touristy places that are also good options in the Finnish Lapland include Luosto, Levi, Ivalo or Inari.

So, without a doubt, the most magical time to visit Lapland is late November or early December! In fact, these months are the high season in this region.

This guide is focused on what to visit in Lapland in winter. However, this destination is also an excellent choice in the snow-free months (May to August).

The region is absurdly beautiful at any time of year and has breathtaking scenery. You can enjoy various nature trails, visit reindeer or huskies farms or even take advantage of one of the many saunas available!

What about the weather? You can’t ignore the fact that winters are extremely harsh here. Temperatures in December and January can easily reach -30 °C/-22 °F and it snows very often.

Don’t let snow and extreme cold scare you into visiting Lapland. It is perfectly possible to manage the cold by wearing appropriate clothing. Check out my detailed guide on what to wear in extreme weather conditions.

It is also worth remembering that during the colder months (especially between November and January), the days are very short.

For example, in early December in Rovaniemi, the sun rose at 10.30 am and set at 1.45 pm. However, there was still some light in the sky a little before sunrise and after sunset. Of course, the further up you are in Lapland, the less sunlight you get at this time of year.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Don’t let the shorter daylight hours stop you from visiting Lapland at this time of year. Whenever the sun appears, you feel a certain magic in the air that makes you dreamy. On clear sky days, the sky colours are simply magnificent!

Flying is the quickest and most convenient way to get to Lapland. This is especially true during winter when roads can be icy. There are several airports in Lapland. Rovaniemi is the most popular for international tourists.

Other key airports include Kittilä, Ivalo, and Kuusamo. All have flights from Helsinki and other major European cities, especially during the winter season.

I chose to travel to Rovaniemi by night train from Helsinki. We left around 11 pm and at 11 am the next day we were in Rovaniemi. The one-way ticket cost me 49€/person. It included access to a private cabin with 2 bunk beds. In the cabin, we also had a small sink, soap, pillows, duvets and a bottle of water.

The bathrooms are shared and there is more than one per carriage. There are also some showers, where it is possible to take a shower.

How was sleeping on a train? You hear a lot of noises (even with earplugs). So, if you’re like me, this certainly won’t be your best night’s sleep! But it is amazing to wake up, open your cabin’s window and see the white forest outside.

In one of the carriages, there is also a bar service, where they serve meals and, of course, breakfast! The prices are normal for a country like Finland.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Using an overnight train allows you to save one night in accommodation since you’ll be sleeping on the train.

The E75 highway runs from Helsinki to Utsjoki, the northern tip of Finland. It passes through Rovaniemi and other key towns in Lapland.

Renting a car gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. But make sure your vehicle is equipped with snow tyres and you’re prepared for limited daylight hours.

Companies like Matkahuolto and Onnibus provide services to Rovaniemi, Levi, and other major towns. The journey can be long but it’s a budget-friendly way to reach the region.

This will allow you to experience Finland’s beautiful winter landscapes, but also save you the cost of one night’s accommodation.

For your return trip to Helsinki, fly back. The flight takes about one hour. This is a great time-saver, especially if you’re planning to catch a connecting flight or want to make the most of your remaining time in Finland.

Finnair, Norwegian and SAS offer frequent flights from Lapland’s main airports to Helsinki.

Combine an overnight train with a quick return flight to find the perfect balance between convenience and cost.

Bus line 8 runs between the airport and the Rovaniemi Train Station, passing through the main stops in the city. Public buses may have fewer services on weekends or during the off-peak season, so check schedules in advance.

Public bus tickets typically cost around 3-4€ per trip. Check more information about bus number 8.

A taxi ride from Rovaniemi Airport to the city centre or train station takes around 10-15 minutes.

Taxis can be pre-booked or hailed upon arrival, but it’s always a good idea to check for availability during busy holiday seasons.

Expect to pay between 25-35€ for a taxi ride to most city-centre locations or the train station.

This is a great option if you want to stretch your legs after your journey. However, if visiting Lapland in winter, don’t forget about the snow and cold!

Here are the top choices for where to stay when visiting Rovaniemi in winter!

Many glass igloos are located outside the city, providing an ideal setting for spotting the northern lights.

The bad news is that a night in such accommodation in high season costs, at least, 400€. Believe me, I tried to look for a more affordable option, but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to exist.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you are not planning to rent a car on this trip, opt for a hotel in the centre of Rovaniemi. This allows you to walk to restaurants and take transport to/from the train station/airport. The famous igloos are usually in more isolated locations and can be more difficult to get to without a car.

Many of these hotels are conveniently located in the city centre. So, it’ll be easy to access restaurants, shops, and public transportation. These options provide a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.

As staying in an igloo was not an option for the budget I had for this trip, I chose Hostel Café Koti. Although it is a hostel, I stayed in a private room with a private bathroom and the conditions were excellent.

It’s hard to feel more Christmassy than in Santa’s Village. This is one of the best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter (and actually, any time of the year!).

Entering the village is free. Yet, inside, there are several places to visit, activities, restaurants and even souvenir shops available. Of course, most of these places and activities are paid for.

There are also different accommodations in the village, such as the Santa Claus Holiday Village, Nova Skyland or the Glass Resort.

As soon as we enter the Village, we are welcomed with the Christmas spirit!

Right in the central square, we can find a giant thermometer that shows the live temperature. This is also where you can find the famous line that marks the beginning of the Arctic Circle. At night, the line becomes more visible with its bluish colour.

💡 EXTRA TIP: There is a Youtube live streaming camera next to the giant thermometer. Take the opportunity to call someone while you appear on the camera 😉.

Of course, Santa’s Village wouldn’t have this name if we couldn’t meet him. Santa’s office is probably one of the most popular places in the village and usually, there is a queue to meet him.

You can’t take pictures when meeting him, but they photograph and record the moment for us to buy later (35€ for a printed photo or 45€ for the photos and video). The experience was pretty cool and I highly recommend it!

Besides the visit to Santa Claus, we can also visit Mrs. Claus’ House or Santa’s Post Office. The visit to the Post Office is free and from there you can send a postcard to any place in the world. This is also where you will find the thousands of letters that are sent from all over the world every year.

You can do the famous reindeer sleigh rides, huskies or even snowmobile rides. I personally chose to do these activities with other companies (keep reading this Lapland winter guide to find out). Anyway, check all the available activities.

Still inside Santa Claus Village, I chose to visit the Elf’s Farm Yard – a kind of zoo with some animals, such as alpacas, sheep, rabbits, goats and reindeer.

The entrance costs 15€ per adult, but honestly, I don’t recommend it that much. The animals are confined to relatively small spaces and there is not that much diversity of animals. It is also possible to have barbecues inside the farm, and there is food for sale at the reception.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Santa’s Village is located about 15 minutes by car from the centre of Rovaniemi. However, getting there is quite simple. There is bus number 8 (one-way ticket costs 3,6€) or the Santa Claus bus (one-way ticket costs 4€). Both stop at various stations in the centre of Rovaniemi and drop you off right outside the village.

I booked through Get Your Guide with Wild Nordic and it was my favourite activity on this trip 😊. The company offers pick-up service at the main hotels in the centre of Rovaniemi and is located right in front of Santa’s Village!

When we arrived, they checked our driving licences and gave us a balaclava and also a helmet for safety reasons. If you need it, Wild Nordic also has its own clothes and shoes available.

After some instructions on how to drive a snowmobile, off we went into the middle of the forest. The ride lasted about 40 minutes (various lengths are available) and it was amazing. Although we drove at low speed, I felt a certain adrenaline rush!

Honestly, even though it was my first time driving a snowmobile, I found it relatively easy. One or two people can go in the snowmobile, and we stop in the middle to take some photos and change drivers.

I booked a tour with Sieriporo Safaris (110€/person). It was a 2.5 km reindeer ride in the middle of a forest a few kilometres from the centre of Rovaniemi by car and it was truly magical, despite the cold.

The company offers a pick-up service in the centre of Rovaniemi. We arrived at the farm (around 3 pm) and it was almost nightfall and the photos turned out terrible… but it’s the experience that counts, am I right? 😊

The route is always led by the guide who goes on the first sled and the other sleds follow his directions. They cover us with a blanket to keep our legs warm and off we go!

Sieriporo Safaris is a family business, which has been in the reindeer herding business for many years. After our ride, the owner invited us to a heated wooden cabin, where he served us warm tea, ginger cookies and cinnamon rolls. I confess I’m not even a big tea fan, but it was so cold that it felt really good 😊.

While we were in the cabin warming up, the owner of the farm told us a little more about the history of his farm. We learned that the reindeer are used for these activities during the high season (winter). During the other months of the year, most of the reindeer freely inhabit the forest surrounding the farm.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you don’t have warm enough clothes for the reindeer ride, Sieriporo Safaris, like other companies, has warm clothes/shoes that you can borrow.

As with other activities of this kind, here too they have more appropriate clothes and footwear.

First, we met the huskies and then our guide explained the basics of how to drive a sled. Unlike the reindeer, here only one person was sitting on the sledge and another standing to control it.

The tour was still quite long and we even stopped in the middle for photos. But, although the huskies love to run in the forest and pull the sledges, I didn’t like to see the space where the huskies were kept for the rest of the day.

Thus, and similarly to reindeer, you can choose to just visit a husky farm, without having to go sledging. In this case, the price of the activity is probably even cheaper.

I bought the Cultural Pass for 25€ which gives us access to the 3 spaces for 7 days. However, I only had the opportunity to visit the first two.

The Korundi Museum is more dedicated to contemporary art. On the other hand, the Arktikum has a more scientific side, including some exhibitions on life in the Arctic and Lapland’s history.

I have to confess that I found both spaces not that interesting and if it were today, I wouldn’t visit them. But what’s of little interest to me doesn’t mean that it is to others 😉.

However, I thought the Arktikum building was quite beautiful. If nothing else, the Arktikum is worth visiting for its surroundings.

At the back of the Arktikum building, you can find a beautiful lake (which freezes in winter!) with the best views over the glass building. To get there you have to go through an underground passage next to the car park, but the easiest thing is to search for Arktikum Arboretum on Google Maps.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you want to visit the Korundi Museum for free, you can do so every Thursday from 4 pm to 6 pm.

First of all, Lordi Square is in honour of the band that won the Eurovision festival in 2006 and is originally from Rovaniemi. This is also where you can find the famous clock that tells you the temperature all the time.

There is also the Rovaniemi Church, built in 1950. It is a small church, located about 10 minutes walk from the city centre.

Also in the centre, you can find the Rovaniemi garden right by the river, which freezes over during the winter. It is from here that you have probably one of the most privileged views of the Jätkänkynttilä bridge.

And finally, a few meters from the church, you can find what is the most photographed island in Rovaniemi – Kotisaari. For those who have a drone, this island can guarantee you an amazing photo!

The trailhead is about 1.5 km from the centre of Rovaniemi and you have to cross the Jätkänkynttilä bridge to get there. The trail runs 6 km in total and is well-marked.

About 1.5 km from the start, we can climb to the top of an observation tower. And it is impossible not to be surprised! As soon as I reached the top of the tower I was sure that this was one of the most special trips ever.

Lapland is truly magical! Wait until you see the noon light hitting the tall pine trees full of snow and the city of Rovaniemi in the background in shades of pink.

The day I decided to go to the trail was the coldest and also the day I had less time available because I was returning to Helsinki.

I ended up just going to the observation tower and back. Although I didn’t do the whole trail, this was one of my favourite activities and it clearly couldn’t be missing in this Lapland guide. This is totally a must-visit in Lapland!

Unfortunately, it was quite overcast all the days we were in Rovaniemi. This significantly reduced the likelihood of observing this incredible phenomenon. It didn’t happen and I will have to keep waiting to fulfil this dream.

I may not have any amazing photos to show you, but I still have some tips for you:

• The best time of year to see the Northern Lights is September, October and March
• To observe them you must escape the city lights. In Rovaniemi, the most accessible place to spot the Northern Lights is the garden behind the Arktikum (Arktikum Arboretum). At first, it may seem scary to go there at night, but trust me you’ll have company and it’s quite peaceful 😊.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you enjoyed reading this guide on what to visit in Lapland and are also visiting Helsinki, take a look at my Helsinki guide.

Unless you opt for fast food (there is a McDonald’s, Subway and Hesburger in the centre of Rovaniemi), eating out in Rovaniemi is expensive. On average, a one-person meal in a not-very-expensive restaurant cost me around 20€ in 2021. Alcohol is quite expensive (1 beer 33cl about 8€), but water is usually free.

I could have saved a bit more on meals if I had opted even more for sandwiches and/or fast food. But I also wanted to experience some of the local cuisine and restaurants.

The Finnish part of Lapland is the most popular for winter tourism. It is known for its stunning Arctic landscapes, northern lights, and iconic destinations like Rovaniemi.

Each country’s portion of Lapland has its own unique culture and attractions. But they all share the magical winter wonderland experience Lapland is famous for.

Locals working in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions are generally fluent in English. This makes it easy for visitors to communicate and enjoy their trip without language barriers.

The coldest months are ideal for northern lights viewing and winter activities like snowmobiling. But be prepared with proper thermal gear to stay warm in these extreme conditions.

By February and March, temperatures become slightly milder, making outdoor activities more comfortable.

The heaviest snowfall usually occurs between December and March. It creates a thick, beautiful blanket of snow that’s perfect for winter activities like skiing, sledging, and snowshoeing.

The consistent snow cover makes Lapland a true winter wonderland during these months.

In December and January, the region experiences Kaamos, or the polar night. This means you’ll only have a few hours of twilight each day, and in the far north, the sun may not rise at all.

By February, daylight begins to increase. It offers around 5 to 6 hours of sunlight, and by March, days extend to about 10 hours, allowing more time for outdoor activities.

Read my ultimate guide about what to pack in extreme cold destinations!

After your trip to Lapland, you’ll have unforgettable memories! You’ll never forget the northern lights, the snowy landscapes, and the thrilling Arctic activities. From cosying up in a glass igloo to racing through the wilderness on a husky sledge, Lapland offers a winter wonderland like no other.

What excites you most about visiting Lapland? Whether it’s chasing the northern lights or diving into winter sports, share your thoughts and questions in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear about your plans!

Disclaimer: this post may contain some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something through my links. This doesn’t represent any additional cost to you and you’ll be supporting my work here on the blog😊